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    Smith County Welcome Center

    4.1 (16 reviews)

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    room to rest or play!
    Daniel P.

    Smith County Welcome Center at the Buffalo Valley Rest Area single plaza serving both directions! west bound is somewhat deceiving here since you don't initially grasp the idea that you're simultaneously at the east and west bound rest areas. there's separate parking for either way but you can cross over to the other side and head back where you came from if you want which kinda makes this almost a destination for picnickery or a bit of sport out of doors on the expanse... seriously, you could totally make a day of it if you lived near here. not saying anything, just saying... there's a keurig in vendoland! get a pod from the dispenser and let nature take its course. if only there was a matching single-serving doughnut maker I could almost work from here.

    Melissa V.

    This rest stop came at just the right time. It was pretty. It was clean. The only drawback was that the bathroom floor & back of the toilet was wet in a few places. Kinda weird, like condensation. I'm the center is where Mike works. He is such a great guy! My nieces & I were looking at the map of Tennessee. He started talking to us & gave us maps of Tennessee for the girls. He also talked to my sister about the Civil war & the history of Tennessee. We really enjoyed talking to him! I highly recommend stopping in here on a road trip. Sign the visitor log when you stop in! Also, be nice & do the survey! It takes less than a minute to scan the barcode & do it.

    The ramp on the left goes up to the welcome center.
    Krys G.

    Driving east on Hwy 40 we followed the signs to the rest stop. We didn't realize that the stop was on the other side of the Hwy. The long and winding road goes under the Hwy to the rest stop. There is a very steep long ramp to walk up to the building. Inside the bathrooms are located to the right of the information desk. The bathrooms were very clean and country music played off a TV they had up on the wall. The area is well lit and there is lots of car and truck parking.

    Santa stopped here!
    Jill M.

    Even Santa stops at this Tennessee rest area whether he's flying east or west on Interstate 40. Clean inside and out with sleigh parking available. The inside of the welcome center is as homey as grandpappy's cabin. Pull up a rocking chair by the fireplace and sit a spell. Christmas decorations were very tastefully done (unless Christmas holiday cheer offends you). Plenty of information on the State of Tennessee available and displayed by region, plus a manned info desk, womanned that is, by a very pleasant female. Vending machines available in separate structure.

    J David H.

    I'm all about state welcome centers. You can almost always count on a higher level of service. This rest area accommodates both cars and trucks. Cars in front, trucks in back. No debris in sight and the lawn was freshly mowed and manicured. The main building houses the restrooms and welcome center. As you enter the visitor desk is directly in front. They will be happy to answer your questions as I witnessed others in conversation. There is a large room with fireplace to get maps etc. you can also rest on one of the chairs. The Men's room was tidy and functional, but has age and in need of a remodel. A separate building houses the vending which I did not use. There is plenty of room to walk pets on both sides of the building. There are also area to throw a picnic on tables. I would recommend this as a stop if your in the area.

    Rose B.

    Pros: - convenient - free - customer service - clean - friendly Cons: - parking

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    7 months ago

    Nice clean bathrooms. Well landscaped. Pretty. Nice area for pets. Bit of walk abouts.

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    Review Highlights - Smith County Welcome Center

    This rest area can be accessed both from eastbound or westbound of I-40.

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    Mammoth Cave National Park

    Mammoth Cave National Park

    4.4
    (489 reviews)
    74.2 mi

    We had to cancel Mammoth Cave twice, but so glad we were able to come. We enjoyed the two our tour…read moreand a break from the heat in a 54 degree cave. There is over 640 steps and areas to squeeze through/dunk/sideways around. We had several wow moments. The pictures don't do it justice. I would definitely return and do the longer tour.

    We did the Frozen Niagara tour. It is the part of the cave where the most formations are, and other…read moretours go to this part too. This one is only a half-mile long. If you are physically able, I suggest doing a different tour such as the Historic Tour which are longer. Also for the Frozen Niagara tour, we had to be bussed to/from the entrance, vs other tours the entrance is right by the visitor center. The tour guides were informed. A few issues: when they turned off all the lights so we could see how dark it was, they kept them off far too long. Also, on the way back the shuttle dropped us off at a different place from where we were picked up. I understand we had to walk over a special mat so we didn't carry bacteria out of the cave. But they didn't say where we were or how to get back to the visitor center. I had to ask, which I thought was weird.

    Photos
    Our guide telling us about the days where you could scribe your name on the walls of caves. Nice fella!
    Our guide telling us about the days where you could scribe your name on the walls of caves. Nice fella!
    08.29.25
    08.29.25
    08.29.25 There are two seasons of operation at Mammoth Cave: winter and summer. Summer is the most popular time to visit

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    08.29.25 There are two seasons of operation at Mammoth Cave: winter and summer. Summer is the most popular time to visit
    Hidden River Cave & American Cave Museum

    Hidden River Cave & American Cave Museum

    4.5
    (81 reviews)
    72.0 mi

    I love that the Hidden River Cave is pet friendly. Your furry friend can come down in the cave and…read morein the gift shop. The staff was so excited to see my pup walk in. The gift shop is cute. It isn't large but they have a good selection. The promos are they have the longest underground suspended bridge. I am adraid of heights and was nervous most about this part of the tour. The girls were understanding and talked me through if I wasn't able to take on the bridge. This is a guided tour about a mile long. The entrance is so beautiful. It is like walking into a secret garden. The river is gorgeous and the water sounds so soothing. When we got to the bridge it wasn't as bad as my mind was making it out to be. It is high but the darkness of the cave made it harder to see how high up you are. The bridge felt really stable and didn't shake as much as I was expecting. This is a beautiful cave. The tour was fantastic. My pup loved the tour and had a blast cave exploring.

    For the last couple years my wife and I have taken to doing cave tours. We've done several in the…read morearea and only made it to Hidden River Cave & American Cave Museum recently. Unlike some cave attractions, you have to make a reservation to visit Hidden River. It's easy via their website. Once you arrive you can check in at the desk and then tour the museum and gift shop before your cave tour begins. The museum is self-guided and is two stories' worth of exhibits. There's a staircase that takes you down to the lower level where you'll find just as many exhibits as their is on the main floor. Everything is presented nicely, well lit, and informative. Shortly before your tour begins your tour guide will introduce himself, give you a brief overview of the cave, and then do a Q&A before heading to the cave entrance. This cave tour begins by descending some steps. A Lot of steps. The opening is very impressive, and as you ascend you can feel the temperature drop. A brief pause at the bottom of the steps and our tour guide pointed out some of the machinery left over from various uses of the cave in the past. Then it's into the cave. I love cave tours because it puts you in a place that's nothing but history. They're made by nature, often hidden for centuries, and, for all intents and purposes, somewhere that man isn't really intended to go...but we're Mankind and we do that kind of thing. Once inside the cave there are areas that are expansive and areas that are terrifically narrow. I love large, open spaces underground. Sometimes you have to remind yourself that your anywhere from 50 to over 100 feet below surface. In a fashion, it's a bit humbling. At the same time, you have to remind yourself that you're actually below a downtown area. The suspended bridge was definitely a highlight of this cave tour. Cleverly designed and installed, I'd almost consider an underground wonder. A little further along you come to the Sunset Dome, and the farther point of your tour. The Sunset Dome is a beautiful space. I just had to stop and listen to the silence. Nothing but silence, running was from an underground steam, and the occasional drop of water from above (a cave kiss). If only the others on our tour would have been to appreciate it more. After the Sunset Dome you hit rewind and head back along the same path you just took on the way in. Back cross the suspended bridge. Then back to the bottom of the staircase....which you now need to walk up. And there are A LOT of stairs. It was tough, I'm not going to lie. I'm in pretty good shape and I had to stop twice on the way up. Once you're up to the top you have a chance to visit the gift shop again and purchase a souvenir or two. I don't recall our tour guide's name, but he was pretty good. He did spent a fair amount of time patting himself on the back, stating at least 4 times that how long he'd been doing these tours and how he considered himself an expert. Weird flex, but ok. It was still a good tour and I'm glad we were finally able to get to Hidden River Cave.

    Photos
    Suspension bridge
    Suspension bridge
    Cave Museum
    Cave Museum
    Cave ceiling

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    Cave ceiling
    Bell Witch Cave

    Bell Witch Cave

    3.3
    (73 reviews)
    76.4 mi

    My family had an amazing time. We did the cave and house tour. The cave is lite up to see through…read moreit but it gets really tight and small through areas. Your walking on a river bed be prepared to get wet and crunch down through parts.

    I have always been interested in the paranormal. Guess it's because my mom died when I was 10, and…read moreI longed for signs and connections. I have many years of unusual spiritual experiences. And have been drawn here, because of its dramatic history. A bit of history, On a secluded farm about 30 minutes from Clarksville, in Adams, Tennessee, lies the Bell Family Farm and the Bell Witch Cave. One of the most documented cases of a haunting in American history, most people have heard the story of the Bell Witch. From 1817 to 1821, a man named John Bell and his family were harassed by a mysterious and invisible spirit now known as the Bell Witch. According to the legend, the witch had the ability to speak, shapeshift, and be in multiple places at once. Former president Andrew Jackson was quoted as saying "I had rather face the entire British Army than to spend another night with the Bell Witch" after he and some of his troops spent a night at the Bell's farm. The tour is good, the area and history draw you in. I felt sadness, and history, energy lingering. There are books, movies, songs about this family, and scientific research. There are paranormal tours, and more for your enjoyment of the unknown!

    Photos
    Bell Witch Cave
    Bell Witch Cave
    Bell Witch Cave

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    Stones River National Battlefield Park

    Stones River National Battlefield Park

    4.5
    (65 reviews)
    39.5 mi

    My hubby is a bit of a history buff. We had been at the VA for a car show and just happened by this…read moreplace. We got lunch at In-N-Out then came back and used the shady picnic tables to relax and have a picnic. They have a smallish museum, in comparison to other National Park museums, but it is packed with facts and interesting artifacts. Outside there are trails to walk, and separate bike lanes. On a sunny day there are many shady areas to stop and enjoy the sights, sounds and fragrances!

    A lot to see that helps visitors understand how the Civil War was fought here…read moreStones River National Battlefield is a very important Civil War site. Through the various sites it shows you the battle that occurred between December 31, 1862 to January 2, 186. It was one of the bloodiest skirmishes of the Civil War with over 23,000 casualties. The park is easy to find and there is plenty of parking. The main visitor center was closed when we visited. There are several driving stops and walking trails that take you to key areas of the battlefield, including the famous Slaughter Pen, the Round Forest, and the large National Cemetery. We spent about two hours driving the tour route and walking some of the paths. The grounds are well maintained and peaceful. There are good interpretive signs that help you understand what happened at each location. It was a very sobering but meaningful visit. The cemetery is very moving with row after row of graves and the sayings. I definitely recommend Stones River National Battlefield to anyone interested in Civil War history or just wanting a peaceful and educational stop while traveling through the Murfreesboro area. It is well worth the time.

    Photos
    Stones River National Battlefield Park
    Stones River National Battlefield Park
    Stones River National Battlefield Park

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    GM Corvette Plant Factory Tour

    GM Corvette Plant Factory Tour

    4.2
    (17 reviews)
    67.7 mi

    Fascinating place, great combination of Robotic machinery and people working together to produce a…read moregreat product in 90 hours.

    If you're already touring the museum the factory is a must. However keep in mind if juggling both…read morein one day it can be tight with coordination necessary. The tickets are obtained at the museum only and I do not recall a charge for them. However they are tightly scheduled and a list of restrictions is provided. Visitors must adhere 100% to the list in order to be permitted to tour. The distance from museum to plant is minutes. Restrictions as I recall were arrive before the time to tour, no children under 10, no electronics of any type and no open toe shoes. I'm sure there are more, the list had several items. A safety video kicks it off because believe it or not bad things could occur if your not doing as instructed. It's a lighthearted video so it will go fast. Those that love both cars and engineering will be stoked by the 2 hour tour. Our guide was fantastic as well. Think of assembling legos and you will quickly understand an auto assembly plant. The cars move on a conveyor with employees snapping, bolting and screwing parts on. Robotics are used to place larger or heavy pieces. At the end you see a fully assembled Corvette. A driver gets in the car and drives it through a series of rumble strips and turns checking out various equipment prior to a final quality control inspection. At the end there is a small gift shop with a few items you cannot find else where, so don't skip. For me this was a 5+.

    Photos
    GM Corvette Plant Factory Tour
    My Honey and Me!
    My Honey and Me!
    Assembly Plant

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    Assembly Plant

    Smith County Welcome Center - travelservices - Updated July 2026

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